“What would it mean to laugh with full confidence without covering my mouth or turning away?  That woman is still there inside wanting and waiting to come out. So often I heard that I have beautiful eyes but as the years went by, I heard it less and less.  My eyes didn’t change, my smile, my laugh, my happy spirit changed.  I take as little time as I can in front of the mirror and I stay away from a group for fear that my teeth will steal the mood of the room.  When I have to cut my favorite foods into small tiny bites, I began to eat alone for fear that my dentures will not stay in.  I began to eat less and less and lost lots of weight.  I began avoiding family and friends and looking for a job is also difficult because my self assurance is hidden by the shame of my teeth.  It has changed everything about me, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  I just want to laugh again without turning my head or covering my mouth.  Please help me bring out what is so desperately wanting to come out. Thank you for taking the time to read this.” DHA Patient

Because dental care in the private sector is so expensive, our patient population often considers it as an elective portion of their overall health care.  They are most likely to visit the emergency room, which is literally 10 times more expensive than seeing a private doctor, to deal with health issues.  By the time they come to us, our patients often present with bleeding gums, loose teeth, or a painful abcess that is coursing infection throughout their whole body.  Diabetes, COPD, and high blood pressure are all exacerbated by dental problems, affecting many patients’ overall health.

The kids we see are often in need of emergency care because of severe decay.  The SMILES team gives out toothbrushes to every 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grader that we see when they visit the Title I schools throughout the year.  For many of our kids, this will be the first toothbrush they’ve ever owned.  For some, it will be the only toothbrush in the house.

Because of these challenges, we need you. You may not be a dentist who can volunteer your time in the clinic treating patients, but you can help. DHA is in constant need of funding to provide even more dental care to this population so desperate to get an appointment. The patients are there, the appointments are in high demand, the clinic is set; we just need the funding for additional dental providers each day. Your gift could help make that happen.

If you would like more information on what DHA is trying to do for this underserved population, please contact me.  I would love to give you a tour and show off our wonderful facility and staff that makes it all happen.  Please become a part of this wonderful service to our community while putting a big, healthy smile on someone’s face.

Sincerely,
April Harris, Executive Director

Did you know…

• 52 Million school hours are lost each year to dental problems
• Uninsured children have 10x higher unmet dental needs than insured children
• Texas is ranked #1 in the nation in the number of uninsured children
• Researchers found that pregnant women with chronic gum disease were 4-7x  more likely to deliver prematurely than mothers with healthy gums
• Bacteria in your mouth can be aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with gum disease